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By Tim Dierkes [September 9, 2008 at 12:54pm CST]
Let's dig into the latest blog post from MLB.com's Jim Molony.
- Molony believes the Mets, Cardinals, Rays, Tigers, Indians, and Cubs are considering signing Francisco Rodriguez this winter. I think K-Rod's demands could cause a nice ripple effect for Brian Fuentes, the second-best closer on the market. Regarding Molony's six teams, a strong case can be made against several of them signing Rodriguez. The Rays and Indians will probably take a careful approach to free agency, while the Tigers may not have room in the budget. The Cubs seem likely to bring Kerry Wood back.
- Also on the topic of K-Rod, ESPN's Andrew Marchand (via MetsBlog) quotes the pitcher's agent naming the Cardinals, Tigers, Dodgers, Angels, and Mets as the five likely serious suitors. They're looking for 5/75.
- Wes Helms would like to return to the Marlins next year. Molony believes the Marlins may want to retain Helms or Luis Gonzalez but perhaps not both.
- The Astros would prefer an extension for closer Jose Valverde rather than a likely eight figure arbitration reward. Valverde, 29, could reasonably demand more than $50MM in a multiyear extension.
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So that leaves the Mets and Cards for K-Rod.
Posted by: icedrake523 | September 09, 2008 at 01:44 PM
The Cubs make absolutely no sense at all.
1. They will probably sign Wood again
2. They have Marmol
3. Their payroll is going to spike as it is, because of backloaded contracts.
4. They have free agents to be that are their first priority: Wood and Dempster
I think St. Louis would love to see a guy like this, but its hard to believe that their new GM could justify that kind of money going to K-Rod. Won't K-Rod and Burnett get roughly the same contract?
Posted by: Aduncaroo | September 09, 2008 at 01:55 PM
I fully support an extension for Valverde. Its so nice to have him as closer instead of Lidge, Wheeler, or Qualls since he has been a lot better than all three this year.
And of course by "a lot better" I mean, almost the same or worse.
Posted by: Laputian | September 09, 2008 at 02:18 PM
Where is todays MLB Chat????
Its 2:39 CT
Posted by: YankeeFan4life | September 09, 2008 at 02:30 PM
NOWAY the Cards make that signings:
1 they have several closing options all over their system.
2 they have ALOT of other needs.
3 The cardinals DON'T sign big free agents they got their WS ring and now their just gonna rest on that for awhile and make all the money they can off of it.
Posted by: mitch | September 09, 2008 at 04:46 PM
K-rod to the cards makes zero sense. They have cheap young options in Perez and Motte that will be better than K-rod by the end of that deal. And like Mitch said we have ALOT of other needs (SS, LHRP and a SP or two). These rumors need to stop becuase it is crazy. They just got burned on a huge multiyear deal to an aging closer Izzy and that horrible deal is coming off the books so why would they go out and do it again?
K-Rod = Mets
Posted by: IN TLR WE TRUST | September 09, 2008 at 05:05 PM
The mets signing krod will not fix their bullpen. They will still not have good setup men to get to the ninth inning. to take that money and sign Lyon a little trade and you will get a good core of relievers to finish the game.
Posted by: metsfan | September 09, 2008 at 06:49 PM
Joel, what the cards need is a Bob Howry type, a set-up man with some closing success and Howry closed for the Chisox a few years back. Though I don't remember him being that great but he wasn't terrible. They would be better served using half of the 40 mil coming off the books and throwing it at Furcal and Hudson for up the middle and 1-2 in the lineup.
Posted by: mitch | September 09, 2008 at 07:09 PM
Relief pithers with great histories + Long-term contacts = FAIL (with very few exceptions).
Posted by: abcrazy4dodgers | September 09, 2008 at 07:46 PM
Joel, I think spending good money on the bull-pen is a DEFINITE need but with 40 mil coming off the books, how do spend that much on the 'pen. The ownership has said time and again that '09 is when they expected to compete, with what they have done to make money(they sold the urinal from the clubhouse of the old stadium!) if they don't come close to spending all of that on FA this off-season then fans need to stop showing up for games. Hell even TLR says they need to put up money.
Posted by: mitch | September 10, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Why would the Dodgers be in on this? They have the internal options already proven, and have Elbert almost ready as well. I realize they can probably afford Frankie, but wouldn't that money be better spent on the likes of Sabathia (only $5 million more a year) and Manny?
Posted by: AA | September 10, 2008 at 12:26 PM